Sunday, February 22, 2009
Film: Lakeview Terrace
Viewed around 7:30 p.m.
RE: Inter-racial relationships
I hadn’t realized the depth of the premise of the movie (which included an African-American cop hedging himself against his next-door neighbors, an inter-racial couple) until watching it. It was very interesting to see exactly what point of view certain people are coming from in regards to particular kinds of relationships.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Personal Conversation with C. B.* at 10 p.m.
He said: “It was good seeing you today at the gym. We usually don’t see a lot of girls actually workin’ hard in the weight room.”
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Personal Conversation with my Caucasian female roommate who is dating an African-American male
Took place from 12:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
RE: Inter-racial relationships
Internet: Youtube.com video: McCain calls Obama “that one”
Obama is readily objectified through McCain's use of language.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkykrDu32Wo
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Film: Boyz in the Hood
Viewed in African-American Studies class, Blacks and the Movies (W 3 – 6 p.m.)
Throughout the movie, constant references were made in regards to females as being “bitches” and “hoes”--à gender portrayal.
Basketball games at 8 p.m.
All White male team versus all Black male team were playing a pick-up game...the Black team won.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Music: Playing at “At The Beach” Tanning Salon at 7:15 a.m.
HD Radio à Song played: Don’t Trust Me by 3oh!3
Lyrics: Don’t trust a hoe
Never trust a hoe
Won’t trust a hoe, won’t trust me!
Shush girl
Shut your lips
Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips
Television: America’s Best Dance Crew
MTV Series viewed at 9 p.m.
Quest Crew vs. Flipbook (all-male dance group versus all-female group)
At the conclusion of the round, the judges commented on the fact that the females were able to display “athleticism,” while athleticism seems to be expected in the male groups.
http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/345332/fly-khicks.jhtml#id=1605911
Friday, February 27, 2009
Billboard for a new housing development outside of McKinney, Texas: Savannah Homes
Seen while traveling east on US 380 at 3:30 p.m.
The ad pictured an all-white family (with two blonde-haired, blue-eyed little girls) smiling happily at the camera looking “picture perfect”.
Television/Commercial: Church’s Fried Chicken viewed at 5:55 p.m.
Following the sitcom My Wife and Kids
Featured predominantly Black and Hispanic people in advertisement while selling fried chicken.
Unfortunately, it does not surprise me at all that there remains today excessive amounts of stereotyping in the media. Regrettably, media outlets of every kind have taken it upon themselves to formulate images that then readily define people as parts of groups instead of as unique individuals. These images compartmentalize people, putting us in boxes that are overwhelmingly difficult to break out of because of society’s willingness to follow trends and take the “easy way out.” This approach lacks understanding, consideration and respect for others and their true identities. It requires dedication and a willingness to work to more fully understand people on a deeper level to recognize that many of these dangerous stereotypes are very harmful and hurtful for the people of our society. Others are not the only people affected by media’s static images… they are constantly attributing certain characteristics about every single type of person. Everyone is affected by them. I am a Caucasian female and I am stereotyped in certain ways as well. Not only does my field of study throw people off sometimes, but I have also gotten extremely horrendous questions regarding my motivations in taking on my African-American studies major. I have purposefully placed myself in a position that has allowed me to more fully understand the workings of the world around me by participating in-depth in studies of race and gender. Yet, people don’t want to let me stop at the fact that I simply want to learn how to look at the world around me in a different way than most others see it and the people who are walking through life in it. However, when people see a young Caucasian female in classes dominated heavily by people of divergent races, they start to raise questions. One of the most ghastly questions I get a lot is if I’m in it because I’m a “jersey chaser.” Well, if you went by society’s stereotypes; then yes, you would assume I was. However, that is not why I am here and that is not why I am interested in erasing stereotypical boundaries that detach and separate people. I have been questioned about my group of friends which DOES include those of different races and my willingness to involve myself in cultures that are not familiar to many people. For me, the possibility that I have formed close friendships with these individuals based solely on them as people, rather than the color of their skin, their hobbies, or the stereotypes they may be haunted with is undoubted. Yet people continue to ask why I have chosen this path. It saddens me that people even feel the need to ask. My response to them is “Why not?” And even more, “why WON’T you do this, too?” This answer is simple for many people…comfort. We are comfortable with our assessments made on first judgments of people around us, largely based on societal stereotypes. We are comfortable with our group of friends, at our comfortable table, in our comfortable corner in the Student Union. As my group of friends has continued to become more and more diverse, the topic of inter-racial relationships (friendships and intimate) has become popular in discussion and has been more noticeable in things happening around us, especially media outlets portraying these relationships. It’s quite unfortunate that people today can rarely form relationships without them being typified and defined by the stereotypes that they carry with them.
It is also unfortunate that the media continues to promulgate the images such as the favorite foods of African Americans being fried chicken and watermelon; that star athletes are black; that optimal happiness is achieved by the blond-haired, blue-eyed family of photogenic darlings and that women are portrayed as “bitches” and “hoes.” Were it not for the constant barrage of billboards, television advertisements, hit songs on the radio and magazine covers reinforcing all these negative attitudes, society might have a better chance to overcome these adverse ways of judging and segmenting people.
Stepping out and taking the lead?
ReplyDeleteI want to comment on your remarks about America's Best Dance Crew. The judges on that show offend me almost every episode because of their sexist remarks. I too notice how the judges hold the male and female groups to completely different standards. The girls are expected to look sexy but not too sexy, be athletic but not too athletic, etc. While the guys don't have to worry about dancing in heels, the girls have to perform just as well or better than the guys to get any attention AND do it in heels. It hardly seems fair. The chances of an all-girl group winning seems very unlikely because the judges are biased and hold the male and female groups to completely different standards.
ReplyDeleteI think there is no doubt that the media portrays sexist, stereotypical images. These images are crafted by people, so it only stands to reason that these representations take on the characteristics of their (though they be flawed) points of view. I find that if I spend too much time lamenting the situation, I get frustrated and nothing changes. I have resigned myself to the fact that things, though slowly, are changing. Younger generations are being raised in a country where diversity is not a dirty word, but something they live with daily. Besides becoming a Tim Wise, the best we can ask of ourselves and others is to digest these images and understand that they are not the blueprint. There are differences between us, but not because of our color or gender. Everyone is in their own way molded to an alternative form. Embrace those differences for how intricate and special they make not only others, but ourselves. It's truly remarkable. As we move forward with this mindset, not everyone will follow. But who will make the decisions in media of the future? The educated members of society, who have been taught, or at least observed, the inadequacies the current model provides us. I still watch it. I still laugh. But I know these representations don't truly capture everyone. Not only is that mathematically impossible, but it stands to reason upon my personal observations. I look forward to growing in this world, as I feel there is much good still in it. I believe that when we look around at the landscape of our children's adolescence, the concept of segregating oneself from other cultures will be even further removed from the public forum and its propogator: the media. After, all: we'll be making the decisions.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love fried chicken. I wasn't aware that hispanics were a part of that stereotype? Interesting.
P.S.S. I find it easier to place racial stereotypes in their place rather than those of gender. I've been taught from day one that people are people, until they do something to take away your respect, regardless of color or creed. But gender is something that I grapple with at times. I find it harder based on male machismo to disseminate sexist images in media. And these images, I find, are the most unabashedly forward. Whereas racial commentary is placed in hushed undertones, it is not rare to see half naked women being objectified daily.
Thoughts?
And, BTW, I read all your blog posts. I find your thoughts and writing very reasoned and thought provoking. I look forward to more.
ReplyDeleteA great conversation and opportunities to think beyond the frame. Are you saying that we just roll with the punches?
ReplyDelete